Neoadjuvant therapy has become the standard treatment for locally advanced resectable esophageal cancer, significantly improving long-term survival compared to surgery alone. Neoadjuvant therapy has evolved to include various strategies, such as concurrent chemoradiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted combination therapy. This enriches clinical treatment options and provides a more personalized and scientific treatment approach for patients. This article aims to comprehensively summarize current academic research hot topics, review the rationale and evaluation measures of neoadjuvant therapy, discuss challenges in restaging methods after neoadjuvant therapy, and identify the advantages and disadvantages of various neoadjuvant therapeutic strategies.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of modified Jinwei Guben Decoction （金卫固本汤， MJGD） combined with Bailing Capsule （百令胶囊， BC） in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） patients in the stable stage with qi deficiency， blood stasis and phlegm obstruction syndrome， in addition to conventional western medicine treatment. MethodsA total of 102 patients with stable COPD and qi deficiency， blood stasis， and phlegm obstruction syndrome were included in the study. According to the patients'preferences， they were divided into treatment group （49 cases） and control group （53 cases）. The control group received conventional western medicine treatment， while the treatment group was given MJGD （1 dose daily） combined with BC （2.0 g each time， three times a day） additionally. The treatment period was 3 months， and the patients were followed up for 1 year after the treatment. The acute exacerbation frequency （mild， moderate， severe） before treatment， during treatment， at 6-month follow-up， and at 1-year follow-up was compared between groups. Additionally， the lung function indicators such as FEV₁， FEV₁%pred， FVC， and FEV₁/FVC ratio， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores， modified British Medical Research Council （mMRC） dyspnea scale， and the COPD Assessment Test （CAT） scores before and after treatment were compared. A logistic regression model was constructed to analyze the impact of MJGD combined with BC on clinical efficacy. ResultsFour patients dropped out from the treatment group and eight from the control group， leaving 45 patients of each group for statistical analysis. The number of mild and moderate acute exacerbations in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group during the treatment period， at 6-month follow-up and within 1 year of follow-up （P＜0.05） .The number of severe acute exacerbations was only lower in the treatment group than in the control group at 6-month follow-up （P＜0.05）. Compared with that before treatment， the number of acute exacerbations of all degrees in the treatment group was significantly reduced within 1 year of follow-up （P＜0.05），while only the number of mild acute exacerbations in the control group was significantly reduced within 1 year of follow-up （P＜0.05）. The treatment group showed significant improvement in FEV₁ and FEV₁%pred and FEV₁/FEV， while the control group showed a significant decline in FEV₁ and FVC （P＜0.05）. After treatment， both groups showed significant reductions in TCM syndrome scores， including coughing， sputum， wheezing， chest tightness， shortness of breath， and fatigue， as well as mMRC and CAT scores （P＜0.05）， with the treatment group having significantly lower scores than the control group （P＜0.05）. The overall clinical effective rate of in the treatment group was 93.33% （42/45）， significantly higher than that of the control group， 75.56% （34/45， P＜0.05）. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the use of MJGD combined with BC （OR = 4.68， 95%CI： 1.15 - 19.09， P = 0.03） was positively correlated with clinical efficacy. ConclusionsIn addition to conventional western medicine treatment， the combination of MJGD and BC can reduce the frequency of acute exacerbations， delay the decline of lung function， improve clinical symptoms， and significantly enhance the clinical efficacy in patients with stable COPD and qi deficiency， blood stasis， and phlegm obstruction syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of 5 regimens of colistin sulfate for common Gram-negative bacilli infection based on pharmacokinetics （PK）/pharmacodynamics （PD） theory and Monte Carlo simulation. METHODS Minimal inhibitory concentration （MIC） data of colistin sulfate against Acinetobacter baumannii， Pseudomonas aeruginosa， Klebsiella pneumoniae， Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae in 2023 were collected from the China Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System. Monte Carlo simulation was conducted with the ratio of the area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 hours in the unbound state to the MIC （fAUC0－24 h/MIC） ≥15 as the target value， the probabilities of target attainment （PTA） of 5 regimens of colistin sulfate to achieve the target ratio were obtained at different MIC； and the expected population PTA， specifically the cumulative fraction of response （CFR）， for each regimen within a specific bacterial population was further calculated， to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the five colistin sulfate regimens. RESULTS When bacterial MIC≤0.5 µg/mL， PTA of all colistin sulfate regimens （500 000 IU， q12 h； 500 000 IU， q8 h； 750 000 IU， q12 h； 750 000 IU， q8 h； 1 000 000 IU， q12 h） were all more than 90%. When bacterial MIC＝1 µg/mL， PTA for regimen （750 000 IU， q8 h） against A. baumannii， K. pneumoniae， P. aeruginosa， E. coli and E. cloacae， and for regimen （1 000 000 IU， q12 h） against the other four bacterial species （excluding P. aeruginosa） remained above 90%. When bacterial MIC≥2 µg/mL， PTA of 5 colistin sulfate regimens were all lower than 90%. For E. coli， the CFR of only colistin sulfate regimen （500 000 IU， q12 h） was less than 90%； for K. pneumoniae， the CFR of only colistin sulfate regimen （750 000 IU， q8 h and 1 000 000 IU， q12 h） was greater than 90%； for the other three bacteria， CFR of 5 regimens were all less than 90%. CONCLUSIONS When the MIC of Gram-negative bacteria is less than 0.5 µg/mL， colistin sulfate regimen with a routine dose can be selected for treatment. When MIC was 1 µg/mL， an increase in the dosing amount or frequency is required. The empirical treatment of the other four bacterial infections excluding E. coli requires the use of off-label doses.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of Jinwei Pingchuan decoction combined with conventional Western medicine on the number of acute exacerbations， lung function， and clinical symptoms in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） with phlegm-heat obstruction in lung syndrome. MethodsA non-randomized controlled trial was conducted to include 60 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD with phlegm-heat obstruction in lung syndrome. Patients were divided into a treatment group and a control group based on whether they received Jinwei Pingchuan decoction， with 30 patients in each group. The treatment group received Jinwei Pingchuan decoction combined with conventional Western medicine therapy， while the control group received conventional Western medicine therapy alone. Both groups received treatment for 7 days. The number of acute exacerbations and lung function indices were followed up and recorded before treatment and three months after treatment. The following outcomes were observed before and after treatment： the number of acute exacerbations， lung function indices （forced expiratory volume in one second ［FEV₁］， percentage of predicted value ［FEV₁%pred］， forced vital capacity ［FVC］， and FEV₁/FVC ratio）， the degree of acute exacerbation， TCM syndrome score， COPD assessment test （CAT） score， modified British Medical Research Council Dyspnea Questionnaire （mMRC） score， C-reactive protein （CRP）， and white blood cell （WBC） count. ResultsAfter 3 months of follow-up， the treatment group showed a significant reduction in the number of acute exacerbations compared with the pre-treatment values （P<0.05）. After treatment， the treatment group had fewer acute exacerbations than the control group （P<0.05）. The degree of acute exacerbation in the treatment group improved significantly compared with the pre-treatment values （P<0.05）. After treatment， the degree of acute exacerbation in the treatment group was improved compared to the control group （P<0.05）. Regarding lung function， FEV₁， FEV₁%pred， FVC， and FEV₁/FVC ratio increased significantly in the treatment group compared with the pre-treatment values （P<0.05）， and similar improvements were observed in the control group （P<0.05）. After treatment， FEV₁ and FVC were higher in the treatment group than the control group （P<0.05）. Regarding TCM syndrome scores， the scores for individual symptoms such as wheezing， cough， expectoration， chest tightness， shortness of breath， and fatigue， as well as the total score， decreased significantly in the treatment group compared with the pre-treatment values （P<0.05）. In the control group， the scores for cough， expectoration， chest tightness， fatigue， and palpitation， as well as the total score， also decreased （P<0.05）. After treatment， the treatment group showed significantly lower scores for wheezing， cough， chest tightness， shortness of breath， and the total score than the control group （P<0.05）. Regarding the CAT score， the scores for cough， expectoration， chest tightness， climbing stairs， going out， activity， and energy， as well as the total score， decreased significantly in the treatment group compared with the pre-treatment values （P<0.05）. In the control group， the scores for cough， expectoration， chest tightness， sleep， energy， and the total score decreased （P<0.05）. After treatment， the treatment group showed significantly lower scores for cough， expectoration， chest tightness， activity， and going out than the control group （P<0.05）. Regarding the mMRC score， CRP level， and WBC count， all these parameters decreased significantly in the treatment group compared with the pre-treatment values （P<0.05）， and similar reductions were observed in the control group （P<0.05）. ConclusionJinwei Pingchuan decoction can reduce the number of acute exacerbations and the degree of acute exacerbation in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD with phlegm-heat obstruction in lung syndrome. It also improves lung function and symptoms such as cough and chest tightness， thereby enhancing the quality of life of patients.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of Jinwei Pingchuan decoction combined with conventional Western medicine on the number of acute exacerbations， lung function， and clinical symptoms in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） with phlegm-heat obstruction in lung syndrome. MethodsA non-randomized controlled trial was conducted to include 60 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD with phlegm-heat obstruction in lung syndrome. Patients were divided into a treatment group and a control group based on whether they received Jinwei Pingchuan decoction， with 30 patients in each group. The treatment group received Jinwei Pingchuan decoction combined with conventional Western medicine therapy， while the control group received conventional Western medicine therapy alone. Both groups received treatment for 7 days. The number of acute exacerbations and lung function indices were followed up and recorded before treatment and three months after treatment. The following outcomes were observed before and after treatment： the number of acute exacerbations， lung function indices （forced expiratory volume in one second ［FEV₁］， percentage of predicted value ［FEV₁%pred］， forced vital capacity ［FVC］， and FEV₁/FVC ratio）， the degree of acute exacerbation， TCM syndrome score， COPD assessment test （CAT） score， modified British Medical Research Council Dyspnea Questionnaire （mMRC） score， C-reactive protein （CRP）， and white blood cell （WBC） count. ResultsAfter 3 months of follow-up， the treatment group showed a significant reduction in the number of acute exacerbations compared with the pre-treatment values （P<0.05）. After treatment， the treatment group had fewer acute exacerbations than the control group （P<0.05）. The degree of acute exacerbation in the treatment group improved significantly compared with the pre-treatment values （P<0.05）. After treatment， the degree of acute exacerbation in the treatment group was improved compared to the control group （P<0.05）. Regarding lung function， FEV₁， FEV₁%pred， FVC， and FEV₁/FVC ratio increased significantly in the treatment group compared with the pre-treatment values （P<0.05）， and similar improvements were observed in the control group （P<0.05）. After treatment， FEV₁ and FVC were higher in the treatment group than the control group （P<0.05）. Regarding TCM syndrome scores， the scores for individual symptoms such as wheezing， cough， expectoration， chest tightness， shortness of breath， and fatigue， as well as the total score， decreased significantly in the treatment group compared with the pre-treatment values （P<0.05）. In the control group， the scores for cough， expectoration， chest tightness， fatigue， and palpitation， as well as the total score， also decreased （P<0.05）. After treatment， the treatment group showed significantly lower scores for wheezing， cough， chest tightness， shortness of breath， and the total score than the control group （P<0.05）. Regarding the CAT score， the scores for cough， expectoration， chest tightness， climbing stairs， going out， activity， and energy， as well as the total score， decreased significantly in the treatment group compared with the pre-treatment values （P<0.05）. In the control group， the scores for cough， expectoration， chest tightness， sleep， energy， and the total score decreased （P<0.05）. After treatment， the treatment group showed significantly lower scores for cough， expectoration， chest tightness， activity， and going out than the control group （P<0.05）. Regarding the mMRC score， CRP level， and WBC count， all these parameters decreased significantly in the treatment group compared with the pre-treatment values （P<0.05）， and similar reductions were observed in the control group （P<0.05）. ConclusionJinwei Pingchuan decoction can reduce the number of acute exacerbations and the degree of acute exacerbation in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD with phlegm-heat obstruction in lung syndrome. It also improves lung function and symptoms such as cough and chest tightness， thereby enhancing the quality of life of patients.

BACKGROUND:Hydroxy safflower yellow A has anti-ischemia,anti-oxidation,anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory effects.Whether it affects neuronal pyroptosis after glucose-oxygen deprivation/reglucose-reoxygenation is still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the protective effect of hydroxy safflower yellow A on neuronal pyroptosis and its mechanism. METHODS:HT22 cells in logarithmic growth phase were randomly divided into five groups:normal group,model group,hydroxy safflower yellow A group,colivelin group,and colivelin+hydroxy safflower yellow A group.HT22 cells were treated with glucose-oxygen deprivation/reglucose-reoxygenation to establish neuronal pyroptosis model,and then treated with STAT3 agonist Colivelin and hydroxy safflower yellow A.JC-1 probe was employed to assess changes in mitochondrial membrane potential.Reactive oxygen species kit was used to determine the content of reactive oxygen species in cells.GSDMD/TUNEL staining was conducted to observe cell pyroptosis.Immunofluorescence analysis was performed to detect STAT3 and GSDMD protein expression.RT-PCR was utilized for assessing mRNA expression levels of STAT3,NLRP3,and Caspase-1.Western blot assay was utilized to measure the protein expression levels of p-STAT3,NLRP3,GSDMD,Cleaved-caspase-1,and interleukin-1β. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the normal group,the number of pyroptotic cells increased in HT22 cells in the model group along with a significant increase in protein expression levels of p-STAT3,NLRP3,Cleaved-caspase-1,GSDMD,and interleukin-1β.Compared with the model group,the number of pyroptotic cells reduced,and the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins significantly decreased in the hydroxy safflower yellow A group.(2)In comparison with the model group,pyroptosis worsened in the colivelin group where mitochondrial membrane potential decreased along with elevated reactive oxygen species content and increased mRNA expression levels of STAT3,NLRP3,and Caspase-1,as well as increased protein expression levels of p-STAT3,NLRP3,GSDMD,Cleaved-caspase-1,and interleukin-1β.Compared with the Colivelin group,above indexes were improved in the colivelin+hydroxy safflower yellow A group.These results suggest that hydroxy safflower yellow A plays a neuroprotective role through STAT3 signaling pathway to inhibit HT22 pyroptosis after glucose-oxygen deprivation/reglucose-reoxygenation treatment.

Objective: To investigate the environmental contamination of norovirus in nurseries and primary/secondary schools, so as to provide a scientific basis for effective prevention and control measures. Methods: A total of 483 external environmental samples were collected from 34 cluster outbreaks of norovirus gastroenteritis in kindergartens and primary/secondary schools in Linhai City from 2021 to 2024. Pathogen detection was conducted using a rapid nucleic acid extraction kit and realtime fluorescence RT-PCR, and the results were analyzed using the χ2 test or Fishers exact test. Results: Among the collected external environmental samples, the total positive rate of surface contamination was 13.66%. The positive rates in kindergartens and primary/secondary schools were 12.20% and 15.82%, respectively. In kindergartens, the five surfaces with the highest detection rates were desks/chairs (23.33%), toilet stool troughs (20.69%), urinal troughs (12.00%), washbasins/sinks (11.11%), and toilet mops (9.38%). In primary/secondary schools, the top five were toilet stool troughs (38.30%), urinal troughs (23.53%), toilet door handles (13.04%), toilet mops (12.50%), and drinking cups (11.11%). The difference in positive detection rates among different external environments in primary/secondary schools was statistically significant (Fishers exact probability test, P<0.01). The positive detection rate in sanitary toilets was higher than that in classroom environments (χ2=17.38), while the positive detection rate in classroom environments of kindergartens was higher than that in primary/secondary schools (χ2=5.42)(P<0.05). Conclusions Norovirus exhibits a high contamination rate in nurseries and schools, particularly in restroom areas. Strengthening sanitation and disinfection in highrisk environments, and improving hygiene awareness among children and staff, are essential for the effective prevent and control of norovirus.

ObjectiveTo investigate the incidence rate of primary liver cancer （PLC） and the progression of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B （CHB） patients with low-level viremia （LLV） （HBV DNA<2 000 IU/mL but ≥20 IU/mL） after treatment adjustment， and to provide more robust evidence for clinical practice. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of LLV patients who initially received nucleos（t）ide analogue （NAs） for at least 48 weeks at the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from August 2007 to April 2017 and subsequently underwent NAs adjustment due to LLV， and according to the virologic response after 48 weeks of treatment adjustment， the patients were divided into LLV group and complete virological response （CVR） group （HBV DNA<20 IU/mL）. The patients were followed up once every 3‍ ‍—‍ ‍6 months till the primary endpoint event of PLC or October 2024. The incidence rate of PLC and the progression of liver fibrosis were observed， and the progression of liver fibrosis was defined as an increase of ≥1 grade in fibrosis-4 （FIB-4） index. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data with skewed distribution between two groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the cumulative incidence rate of PLC， and the Log-rank test was used for comparison between groups； the Cox regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors for PLC， and the Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influencing factors for the progression of liver fibrosis. ResultsA total of 307 patients were enrolled， with a mean age of 50.0 years， and the male patients accounted for 80.5%. After 48 weeks of treatment with the adjusted NAs regimen， 254 patients （82.7%） achieved CVR， and 53 patients （17.3%） still had LLV. For the LLV group， the incidence rate of PLC was 30.2% and the rate of liver fibrosis progression was 22.6%， while for the CVR group， the incidence rate of PLC was only 13.4%， and the rate of liver fibrosis progression was 7.5%. The multivariate regression analyses showed that LLV was an independent risk factor for the onset of PLC （hazard ratio=2.623， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 1.315‍ ‍—‍ ‍5.234， P=0.006） and the progression of liver fibrosis （odds ratio=3.213， 95%CI： 1.385‍ ‍—‍ ‍7.455， P=0.007）. ConclusionActive adjustment of treatment is needed immediately after the diagnosis of LLV to improve CVR， and if LLV persists after treatment adjustment， it is necessary to enhance the monitoring of liver fibrosis progression and PLC， so as to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To study the spatial distribution of the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in Hubei Province and its influencing factors, so as to improve the theoretical basis for scientific development of tuberculosis prevention and control measures in the future. Methods The data of reported incidence of tuberculosis and related influencing factors in various counties and districts of Hubei Province in 2020 were collected. Global Moran's I index, hotspot analysis and geographically weighted regression (GWR) model analysis were used to calculate the spatial autocorrelation of the incidence of tuberculosis, and to analyze the influencing factors affecting the incidence rate of tuberculosis. Results There were obvious regional differences in the space distribution of the incidence rate of tuberculosis. Hot spot analysis showed positive spatial correlation and obvious clustering. The GWR model (AICc=784.251) in this study had higher AICc value compared to the ordinary least squares regression (OLS) model (AICc=804.2585). The GWR model showed that the increase in the proportion of the population aged 65 and above and the proportion of the ethnic minority population had a significant promoting effect on the increase of the incidence rate of tuberculosis, and there was significant spatial heterogeneity. The effect of PM_2.5 concentration on the incidence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis varied in different regions, and the degree of effect was also different. Conclusion The proportion of people aged 65 and above and the proportion of ethnic minorities may significantly influence the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis. The effect of PM_2.5 concentration varies in different regions, so targeted measures should be formulated according to the situation in different regions.

Objective To evaluate the protective effect of radiation protection safety education (RPSE) on patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) undergoing iodine-131 (¹³¹I) treatment. Methods The DTC patients who undergo ¹³¹I treatment were divided into the control group and the RPSE group using the convenience sampling method, with 142 patients in each group. Patients in the control group received routine health education, while the RPSE group received routine health education combined with RPSE. Dose equivalent rate (DER) on pillows, bed sheets, quilt covers, and household waste of patients were compared between the two groups upon discharge. Results The median (M) DERs of patients' pillows, bed sheets, quilt covers and household waste were 3.86, 3.63, 3.91 and 56.59 times higher in the control group compared with the environmental background level, respectively. The M DERs of patients' pillows, bed sheets, quilt covers were 2.23, 2.18, and 2.55 times higher in the RPSE group compared with the environmental background level, while the M DER of household waste was equivalent to the environmental background level. The DERs of patients' pillows, bed sheets, quilt covers, and household waste in the RPSE group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.001). The DERs of the above four items were lower in both male and female patients in RPSE group compared with same-gender patients in the control group (all P<0.001). The patients' DERs of the above indicators had no significant difference among different gender in both control group and RPSE group (all P>0.05), except for higher DER of household waste in female patients than that of male patients in the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the DERs of pillows, bed sheets, quilt covers, and household waste across subgroups, where patients received different treatment doses, of both the control group and the RPSE group (all P>0.05). Conclusion RPSE for DTC patients treated with ¹³¹I, reduces the DERs of pillows, bed sheets, quilt covers, and particularly household waste.